Ceiling seam - now creating a shadow

[foreversummer]

Hi

I can see what I believe are ceiling seams both upstairs and downstairs in my ceilings, but I have become aware of one downstairs that seems more noticeable.

I don't think it was this bad before because now it has created a shadow in the ceiling both with natural daylight and when the ceiling light is on. Now I notice it every time I walk in the room, of course and it's driving me mad. There isn't any cracking but I do have a crack on an adjacent wall that has been there for or several years. I've been keeping an eye on it but it hasn't got any worse but I just haven't got around to redecorating.

Any ideas why this would happen? I'm concerned there has been some movement.

 

[mrrusty]

Looking at the high ceiling and the pipe/cable boxing I'm guessing this is a fairly old house. Old houses do often move about slightly - weather, temperature etc. If it's just appeared yes, something has moved slightly, but not worth worrying about. Obviously if it develops then investigation would be needed, but IMO that doesn't warrant getting worried.

 

[George_engineer]

I would get some photos in the loft space above.

 

[Nige F]

Hi

I can see what I believe are ceiling seams both upstairs and downstairs in my ceilings, but I have become aware of one downstairs that seems more noticeable.

I don't think it was this bad before because now it has created a shadow in the ceiling both with natural daylight and when the ceiling light is on. Now I notice it every time I walk in the room, of course and it's driving me mad. There isn't any cracking but I do have a crack on an adjacent wall that has been there for or several years. I've been keeping an eye on it but it hasn't got any worse but I just haven't got around to redecorating.

Any ideas why this would happen? I'm concerned there has been some movement.


View attachment 309594

Time to lift some boards in the floor above

 

[foreversummer]

I would get some photos in the loft space above.

Hi. I can. Can you tell me what I'm looking for please.

 

[foreversummer]

Looking at the high ceiling and the pipe/cable boxing I'm guessing this is a fairly old house. Old houses do often move about slightly - weather, temperature etc. If it's just appeared yes, something has moved slightly, but not worth worrying about. Obviously if it develops then investigation would be needed, but IMO that doesn't warrant getting worried.

It was actually built in 1979 but has high ceilings and a suspended timber floor.

 

[foreversummer]

OK, so I'm freaking out now. I am on my own in the house so will have to call someone in. Who do I call? Builder, structural engineer? Could it be subsidence but then I don't understand what I'm looking for in the loft. Looks fine to me up there this morning. Everything is dry and I can't see any obvious damp patches.

 

[mrrusty]

OK, so I'm freaking out now. I am on my own in the house so will have to call someone in. Who do I call? Builder, structural engineer? Could it be subsidence but then I don't understand what I'm looking for in the loft. Looks fine to me up there this morning. Everything is dry and I can't see any obvious damp patches.

You are worrying too much!! Unless cracks start appearing, a slight change in a timber causing the very slightest of shadow lines on a ceiling is not a reason to start digging in to your house. If there are no other signs - damp patches, cracks etc, it's most likely just movement caused by temperature and/or humidity change. Timbers will move about very slightly under changing conditions. Also the ground will move slightly with changes of conditions, trees etc. It's only a problem if it is progressive and getting gradually worse.

 

[George_engineer]

Hi. I can. Can you tell me what I'm looking for please.

Photographs of what is above the line in the ceiling and the general construction of the roof.

It is a case of eliminating potential problems.

 

[jeds]

OK, so I'm freaking out now.

No need. These are just cosmetic, caused by slight movement of the joints between ceiling boards. Getting rid of them completely won't be a simple job though, especially with the textured finish.

PS. don't go sanding anything without first having the textured material tested?